Unfortunately for the President, the press took note that the Great Eastern still serves shark fin soup, which was banned in California. The shop is able to still sell the soup due to a loophole in the law that states restaurants with back stock can still sell until 2013.

The somewhat embarrassing part for the Prez, is that he signed the Shark Conservation Act into law last month.

Mr. Obama didn't order any of the $48 soup, and stuck with buckets of dim sum, instead.

According to the NYT, Jay Carney, the White House press secretary said the president was not aware of shark fin soup on the menu and he "enjoyed his visit to Chinatown."